The Italian duo Cristiana Girelli and Sofia Cantore were behind everything when Italy knocked out Norway at Stade de Genève.
In the first half, Italy had a game-wise advantage, but failed to break through Norway.
But five minutes into the second half, they were able to take the lead. Then team captain Girelli reached the farthest on Cantore's cross and was able to poke the ball into the goal.
Ten minutes later, Norway was awarded a penalty, which star striker Ada Hegerberg missed. It was her second penalty miss in the championship, since she also missed a penalty in the opening match against Switzerland.
Despite the miss, Italy was shaken by the penalty, and Norway was able to start taking over the match.
Six minutes after her penalty miss, Hegerberg got her revenge, when she won the duel for a long ball, which she was able to poke past Laura Giuliani in the goal.
1–1 lasted for a long time and the match seemed to be heading for extra time.
But in the 90th minute, the Girelli and Cantore duo were at it again. Cantore made a cross from far out that Girelli was able to head into the goal.
Girelli needs to be put in a glass case, we must preserve her, if not clone her, says Elena Linari about her teammate, and continues:
England or Sweden makes no difference, it will be a tough match.
This is the first time since 1997 that Italy reaches the semifinal in a European Championship.
In the semifinal, they will have to play against Sweden or England, who play in Zürich on Thursday evening.
